1st Edition

American Voter Turnout An Institutional Perspective

By David Hill Copyright 2006
    192 Pages
    by Routledge

    191 Pages
    by Routledge

    Using a combination of existing and original research, this new text provides a simple explanation for the low turnout in American elections: rather than creating an environment conducive to participation, the institutional arrangements that govern structure participation, representation, and actual governance in the United States create an environment that discourages widespread participation. To explore this argument, the author examines the origins and development of registration laws, single-member districts, such as the Electoral College, and the separation of powers and the impact these institutions have on turnout levels in American national elections. To this end, the text employs a narrative discussing the impact of institutions on turnout in the United States and across nations, supported with extensive yet accessible data analysis. Hill not only provides students with explanations for the low turnout characteristic of American elections, but also demonstrates the powerful impact of institutions on political life.

    Introduction , Explanations of Turnout , Restricting Access to the Ballot Box , Placing the United States in Context , Winner-Take-All Elections, Part I , Winner-Take-All Elections, Part II , The Separation of Powers , Conclusion , Appendix A , Appendix B , Appendix C

    Biography

    David Hill